Improvement in railwats



cuida este tmc @die HIRAM CARPENTER,

or NEW'YoRKyN. Y.

.rettersPatent No. 99,531, dated February 8, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT IN RAILWAYS. a

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

I, HIRAM CARPENTER, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented Vcertain Improvements in Railways, of which the following is a specication.

` Nature (mtl Objects of the Invention.

V-In the ordinary system of constructing railways,

l with wooden ties and iron chairs and fastenings, the

ties no t only require renewal from time to time, but the perishable nature ot the material ot'- the ties so speedily enables the fastenings to work loose, that the extend across the track, and su pport the track on each side, and to construct and arrange them, in combination with the rails and chairs, in suoli a way that they may he rapidly put together, will require no special supervision to look after fast-enings that may become loose, and will possess suiglicient elasticity to absorb or correctthe concussion incident to the passage of a heavy train over a rigid support; and which lnayalso he used in combination with, or continuation of any of the ordinary systems` or methods of construction. To accomplish these objects.-

M y invention consists iu making holes through the ties, under the rails, at 'the distance required by the gauge of the road. These 4holes may be easily and cheaply bored, and that portion of the' upper surface ofthe tie, in the inunediate vicinity of the holes, may also, at the same time, be truly faced by a vmachine that can be fitted and adapted for the purpose by a mechanic accustomed to such work. The construction ot' the'ties thus insures the exact gauge determined and required, and no alteration can be eifected `by the carelessness of the unskilled laborers usually employed as track-layers. The chairs are made to clasp the foot of the rail, and they are provided with a projecting spindle on the lower side, that passes through a hollow cylinder on the lower side of a plate that is made for its reception, and which also tits into the hole at each end of the cross-tie. Between the chair and the plate, and Within the enclosing flange or collar of the latter, is interposed a layer of India rubber, or other elastic material.

Description of thc l)rczmlng.

The rails a are fitted.l intofchairs b, that. rest on plates c, with India rubber, d, interposed. f

The spindles e, of the chairs, pass tlnrough the projections f of the plates, which are fitted into the holes ofthe ties g. Y

The chairs are slipped over the ends of the rails, and are so fitted that they hold them securely, without needing the keys or wedges that are ordinarily employed. They are retained ,in their proper positions by the spindles passing through the plates; and the co1- lars ofthe latter, that enclose the India rubber, also resist any lateral or longitudinal displacement ot the chairs; and the fitting oi' the plates into the holes of the ties insures the permanency of the gauge of' the road'.` The part-s may thus be titted together without.

the intervention of spikes, bolts, keys, or other fastenings, that are costly to procure, and expensive to maaitain. rlhe proper gauge is secured by the preparaten ot' the ties.- All the parts are ot' materials that are practically exempt from decay, and the 'use of the elastic material lessens the liability toffracture, and

prevents the excessive wear and tear consequent on the concussion of passing loads.

I do not claim the stone ties, nor any of the parts separately, but uiy invention consists ot' the combination of all these parts, when constructed and arranged in the manner desciibed, land illustrated iin the drawing..

Claim. 

